OSCE Media Freedom Representative calls on Ukrainian authorities to reverse entry ban for Austrian journalist
VIENNA, 8 March 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today called on the Ukrainian authorities to reverse the entry ban to Ukraine imposed on Christian Wehrschütz, a journalist with the Austrian Public Service Broadcaster (ORF).
“Christian Wehrschütz has been working as the ORF correspondent in Ukraine for many years. The denial of entry to Wehrschütz, like to any other journalist, is very detrimental for the freedom of the media. I call on the authorities to reverse their decision and abstain from creating obstacles to his accessing the country for the legitimate pursuit of professional activities,” Désir said, “I recall that the OSCE participating States committed to facilitate the work of journalists from other participating States and to the free flow of information“.
The entry ban followed the recent denial of an extension of Wehrschütz’s accreditation by the Joint Forces Press Centre in Ukraine on the basis of alleged violations of procedures for entry and exit from temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The journalist denies these allegations.
Earlier the Representative addressed the problems faced by Wehrschütz with the authorities and asked them to consider easing the travel requirements for media professionals in the areas affected by the ongoing crisis in and around the country. The Representative also expressed concern about the publication of labelling information about Wehrschütz on one of the websites in Ukraine and emphasized that this could put the journalist at risk and jeopardize his safety.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.